We Will Get Through This; Do These Things to Stay Happy and Healthy
Ciao Friends,
Well, we can all agree that things have been nothing short of crazy. There has been so much change every day that it can leave us with heads spinning. And sometimes things can look pretty bleak.
We will get through this but we do need some strategies to keep ourselves healthy and to keep our spirits up. And keeping our spirits up and stress levels down are vital to remaining physically healthy.
I know a bit about overcoming difficult times. I have had three hip replacements. I had one in 2013 to reduce intense pain upon walking. Two years later the pain had increased rather than decreased and I found out that the hip implant was in wrong.
So I had a hip revision surgery to fix it. I had to confront the pain, the disability and the healing all over again.
Shortly thereafter, my other hip tore and it had to be replaced too.
Hip replacement surgery is intensely painful and each time I had to confront going through it, it was beyond stressful.
So I have developed some strategies for dealing with hard times and I know they will help you get through this rough time.
1. Think beyond the hard times
As I was wheeled into each surgery, I was afraid. I knew I would wake up in intense pain and because I do not do well with pain killers, I had only Tylenol to see me through. In short I had to confront weeks of intense pain.
The one thing that got me through it was concentrating my attention on how I was going to feel the first day I noticed a decrease of pain. I thought about walking without pain again. I thought about my next Summer in Italy and who I would see and what I would do. I concentrated on the future happy times.
Sometimes I would just think about how I would feel as I left the hospital full of relief that it was all over.
Take some time and concentrate your attention on how happy we will feel when this is over. Think of how unified we will feel and how much smarter we will be.
Think of the plans you will make for the Summer, who you will see and what you will do.
This will keep you from feeling stuck an unable to move.
2. Turn off the news!
The news media makes its paycheck by holding your attention hostage. It does this by creating panic and chaos. They make you think that you NEED to watch to find out all threats to your survival and then they spin it to make it as scary as possible.
Turn it off! Get your news from a trusted source that has no agenda other than informing you.
3. Find and spread GOOD NEWS.
There is so much good news. The Italian singing in their balconies, communities coming together, babies being born and neighbors caring for neighbors. Spread this far and wide and help others see beyond this situation.
4. Take this time to reconnect
I know we are not supposed to leave our houses but we have phones and Skype. Being home can make us feel isolated and alone. Connecting with people will bring your spirits up and help us all feel like we are in this together.
5. Join my new Facebook group.
I created a Facebook page called “All About Italy”. The purpose is to unite those of us who love all things Italian, and my Italian friends. If we are cooped up in our homes, we can connect with others with similar interests and stay connected through this time of isolation.
If you are not in love with Italy, find and join groups that are interesting to you.
6. Go out in the sun
If you have a balcony or patio, go outside and get some sun. Vitamin D is important for health and getting a feeling of space is vital for mental health.
You can also look around and get out of your head where your worries reside. It is a welcome relief to escape for a time.
7. Make art!
It doesn’t matter one jot if you are a terrible artist. Make something! You may be surprised at how fast you become proficient! In any case, it will give you something creative to focus on and creative focus is the best remedy for boredom and upset.
If you are not into art, reorganize something, rearrange your furniture, make some great food.
For entertaining videos, go to the Super Savvy Travelers Youtube channel.
8. Help someone else
Of all the points listed above this is by far the most powerful to make you feel in control. Elderly neighbors need groceries or other things and leaving their houses can be more dangerous for them. See what you can do to help them.
We are a strong and powerful people all across the world. United we can come through anything. And soon we will walk in the sun saying how glad we are that this is over and how much we appreciate our friends and neighbors.
Love you guys. Take care.